March 30, 2008

MIDLAND - Sophomore catcher Nichole Dunford was 3-for-3 with an RBI double to lead the Lake Superior State softball team to a 6-4 victory over Northwood during Game 2 of Sunday's Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference double-header.

Lake Superior State (5-17 overall, 1-3 GLIAC) never trailed after taking a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning, but both teams scored two runs each in the fifth and sixth innings.

With the game tied 2-2 in the bottom of the fifth inning, Dunford and Nikki Christensen reached safely and eventually scored on an outfield error.

Northwood (11-12 overall, 1-1 GLIAC) came back to tie the game in the top of the sixth, 4-4. During the bottom half of the inning, Laker pinch hitter Katie Brandt put LSSU in front for good with a two-run homer that scored Jennie Elliott.

Elliott, who relieved starting pitcher Stephanie Reveley in the sixth inning, was also credited with the win. She gave up two runs on two hits and one walk. She retired the side in the top of the seventh.

Reveley allowed two runs on eight hits and one walk. Northwood out-hit LSSU 10-9 in the contest.

Rachel Hall, Christensen, Chelsea Maynard, Helena Zandarski and Elliott added singles for LSSU.

Lacey Knoop had a triple, and Dunford and Zandarski had singles as LSSU fell 10-2 in the opener. Christensen took the loss, totaling three strikeouts and one walk. Only three runs were earned. The Timberwolves pulled away from a 2-2 tie by scoring six runs in the fourth inning.

The Lakers travel to Hillsdale on April 5 and Wayne State on April 6.